Leeds Labour MP John Battle told the annual meeting of overseas development charity Tzedek that its values were inspirational and a lesson to the wider community.

Tzedek was “light years ahead” of other organisations in not only supporting projects in West Africa and India, but educating UK Jews about development issues. “Development is the route to peace,” he declared.

The 50 Tzedek supporters at the north London meeting were also shown a video of former World Bank president Sir James Wolfensohn in conversation with the Chief Rabbi at a recent fundraiser for the charity.

Tzedek is in line for an income of over £350,000 for the current financial year, compared to £70,000 three years ago. Director Dan Berelowitz attributes this to “being refreshingly unique in the crowded marketplace of Jewish charities. And a few people have said to us that they are switching their donations to Tzedek from Oxfam or Action Aid because of their stance on Israel.”

The charity also received a £200,000 Department for International Development grant “over three years to teach social justice in Jewish schools, synagogues and youth movements”.